I’ve reviewed a few books over the last few months, partly because I enjoy reading, partly for the expanded view it gives me of other writing styles, and a little because I feel it’s a duty. Some of the resulting experiences have been pleasant. Good books, well laid out, good plot, and edited nicely.
Others? Not so much. And that’s where the danger comes in.
Now, I’m going to attempt saying this without coming off all snotty. I have read a number of articles that argue the advent of indie writing and publishing has brought into the marketplace quite a number of lesser quality writing. Flooded Amazon, Smashwords, and wherever else with tomes that, if capable of uttering sound, would resemble a bobcat being scalded by steaming hot water. And you know what?
They’re right.
Not all of them, of course. As I mentioned, some have been good reads – great reads, actually. They definitely fall into the other category I’ve read about – the good authors who, for whatever reason, never have their work published by a traditional publishing house. And, as anyone who knows me can attest, I am 100%, four-square, full-speed-ahead-and-damn-the-torpedoes behind whomever wants to thumb their nose at the aristocracy of the writing world and whip that book out write in their faces.
But boy – the other ones. Take one I read just this past week. I’m not going to name the author, title, or anything about the book. This isn’t the arena for that. What I will say is that it sucked. I mean, bad sucked. The editing was horrible, it flowed like a ’59 Edsel 
with four fouled plugs, and the main character – the heroine, mind you – was (I’m not a psychologist, but take my word for it) bipolar. I can’t really tell you how bad it all was. But here’s the kicker, and I can’t figure it out for the life of me. It’s getting four-and five-star reviews. From a lot of people. Now, I should say that a number of folks agreed with my assessment, almost to a “T”…but what the hell happened with the others? They loved it, couldn’t put it down, blah blah, freaking blah. And I am confident enough to say that if I gave any of my author bud’s a copy of it, they’d put it down within an hour – maybe less.
So. Reviewing. It’s scary business. It’s a time when you have to put friendships, feelings, and any other emotional tugs aside, and write what you think. Anything else would be a disservice to both the writer, and to their audience. And it can also score you serious scorn too – not to mention recrimination in the form of your own negative reviews. By the way – and as you can see – the name up at the top of this blog isn’t King, Stine, or Cook, so anyone receiving a negative review from me just might have the urge to wonder just who in hell I think I am. Fair question, that. Suffice to say, I’m not an authority on writing, and in the case of reading I only know what I enjoy and what I don’t. After that, let the chips fall as they may.
And for a writer, how can it get any more dangerous than that?
Maybe those who didn’t like the books just couldn’t be bothered to leave a review? The “if you don’t have something nice to say” mantra from our youth?
I can certainly attest to a number of times when I ran into ‘suck’ and abandoned the process rather than struggle with putting alarming negative feelings in writing. Sorry. I just had better things to do.
I also think that people who are legitimate fans try to give it 5 stars to spread the word and allow the author to be able to continue writing in a universe they love. And let’s be real, you find crappy books with editing issues in traditional publishing too….. Hello, “50 Shades” anyone?
I agree with both of you, in what you’ve seen and experienced. A couple years ago, I read a book by an author by an author I know somewhat, that traveled in the same circles as I. thought it was atrocious, but, like many other of her “friends”, put down 4 stars for it. I’ve felt guilty about it, and do to this day. It was the last time I’ve done so. And in fact, I went back and looked at all it’s reviews. Folks I know are authors all gave it medium to good reviews, and honest readers from the general population mostly blasted it for being almost unreadable. Authors stick together, by and large. The politics of writing, right?
Loyalty to your peers isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but maybe a disclaimer in your review that you knew the author personally?
Possibly…but then that puts a “tongue in cheek” bent on it right from the get-go. No, I think I’m going to be very careful about what or who I commit to, from now on, and perhaps even preview the book before agreeing to review.